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A MICHELIN star restaurant is to remain shut after being devastated by a huge blaze that ripped through the old BBC Television Centre.
The high end eatery said all its staff members were safe but will stay closed until further notice while they “carefully navigate the path ahead”.
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Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines were at the scene on Wood Lane in White City, west London, with families evacuated from their homes last Saturday.
Chef Endo Kazutoshi’s restaurant, Endo at the Rotunda, was damaged in the blaze which tore through the top floors of the nine-storey building.
The restaurant’s parent company, Creative Restaurant Group, released a statement on Friday saying they were “absolutely heartbroken”.
“On the morning of Saturday, September 6, a fire broke out at the Helios building, causing damage to Endo at the Rotunda.
“We are profoundly grateful to the London Fire Brigade for their swift and courageous response, and to the residents and community for their patience and cooperation throughout.
“Most importantly, we are relieved and thankful that everyone is safe. Our team is absolutely heartbroken by what has happened, and the Rotunda will remain closed until further notice while we carefully navigate the path ahead.
“We will share updates in due course, and in the meantime, we remain deeply touched by the support and kindness we have received.”
Housed on the top floor of the former Television Centre, restaurant opened in 2019 and was awarded a Michelin star the following year.
A new bar and kitchen were installed just last year that saw the establishment closed for several months.
Fire crews raced to the mixed-use building on the afternoon of September 6 where the restaurant and an outdoor decking area were alight.
A number of flats also suffered smoke and water damage from the blaze.
London Fire Brigade said they worked with the Metropolitan Police to evacuate 22 residents from the building while other buildings in the area were evacuated as a precaution.
A rest centre was set up for those who were forced to leave their homes.
The Brigade confirmed they had treated a baby at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Station Commander Graham Beers said at the time that crews had worked all day in “challenging conditions” to bring the blaze under control.
“This was a complex fire at the top of the building and firefighters worked tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading,” he said.
“Two 32-metre turntable ladders attended and were deployed as water towers to help extinguish the fire from height.”
Li Mei, 36, who lives in a luxury apartment block across the road, previously told the PA news agency: “I got up this morning and my partner told me to look out of the window.
“There was so much smoke – we were worried it was going to get worse.”
The BBC left the old HQ in 2013, but retained some studios until July 2015 when the final staff vacated.
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